Our recent survey of 1,100 R29 readers left us feeling surprisingly hopeful about the state of body positivity among women. Overall, we're feeling better about our bodies and we're caring for them for the sake of our health, rather than appearance.
Of course, our feelings about our bodies can change all too easily (our survey reflected that, too). That's why we asked our readers to tell us about a time when they felt super-happy and confident about their bodies, even if it wasn't 100%. The responses we received weren't just honest and vulnerable — they were downright inspiring.
Ahead, we've rounded up 29 of our favorite responses to that particular survey question. Click through to read about awesome moments when women felt great about their bodies, then share your own story in the comments below.
And remember, whether you're working out, having sex, or just lounging around the house, what matters is feeling at home in your body — and celebrating that feeling.
It's your body. It's your summer. Enjoy them both. Check out more #TakeBackTheBeach, here.
"I remember when I was in college, I took a hiking trip in the Adirondacks with a guy I was dating and a few friends. We started early in the morning and planned on eating lunch when we got to the top of the mountain. I remember when I got to the top of the mountain, I felt invincible. My legs, although tired from the hike, had gotten me there. I was strong. I had someone take a picture of me and I used it as my profile picture for a few weeks. It was a full-body shot of me from behind, looking out over the mountain. I felt really good about what my body had accomplished."
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"A few years ago, I made a resolution to do one pull-up (forward grip, the hard way) by the end of a calendar year. I practiced almost every day, using my roommate's pull-up bar, lifting weights, etc. And after nine or 10 months, I did it. I did a whole pull-up starting from a hang, all the way up. The next month, I got two. By the end of the year, I could do three in a row. I can't do them anymore, but those days when I did one, two, and three pull-ups all by myself I felt totally invincible, strong, and hot."
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"I felt really happy and confident about my body while I was nearing the end of my training for a half marathon. Not necessarily for the way I looked, but how I felt daily in my life. Healthy, energetic, social."
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"When I went to a music festival on the beach two years ago... I was surrounded by good music, friends, and my boyfriend. To be honest, I was a little drunk the whole time, so that probably helped. Along with the fact that everyone young and old was in beach attire, there for the music and not for the scene."
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"This morning, when I looked at myself naked."
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"Seeing the pictures of myself in my wedding dress. It fit perfectly and I looked so happy."
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"When I can make it through six 12-hour days in a row with a 50-pound camera on my shoulder and my body keeps pushing! I am a cinematographer and feel best when my body is capable of doing demanding work."
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"I always feel more confident when I get a new tattoo or change the color of my hair."
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"Counterintuitive, but sex makes me feel really confident in my body."
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"I've been feeling very confident and happy recently. I was diagnosed with an illness almost two years ago, and had to make many changes in terms of eating habits. I used exercise as a way to feel good, so instead of being focused on looks, I've been focused on feeling happy, healthy, and nourished. It's made a huge difference, and — shocker — what also comes along with those positive changes is becoming more fit and in shape, which is a great bonus."
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"When I am surrounded by my friends — who all have great personal style and diverse body types — I feel happiest about myself and my own body."
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"I exercise to get stronger and faster, as opposed to trying to lose weight. I am at a healthy weight for my height and am able to compete in sports at a high level. When I was younger, I was heavy (due to genetics) and then experienced disordered eating patterns, which I have now recovered from."
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"After I accomplish something new during a workout. When I push myself harder, run longer, or when I feel myself getting stronger."
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"When I saw Amy Schumer in Trainwreck, I had a really visceral emotional reaction to seeing someone whose body looked like mine as the lead in a romantic comedy. I realized it was the first time I'd seen someone who looked like me find love in a movie, and I realized it was important to me to see that. It made me really happy that a major Hollywood film was recognizing that normal women are attractive and deserve happiness."
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"After deleting Instagram."
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"I feel confident in my body right now! I might not be perfect, but that's fucking alright! Nobody is, and that's what makes us all so awesome. And, to be honest, even though I'm very confident, from time to time, I doubt myself because of someone's unwanted opinion, but then I say, 'Fuck it!' I don't need that — life is already too difficult to worry about that shit. And when I really try to look pretty, I do it because it's fun and I want to; if I don't feel like doing it, oh well."
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"Any time when my clothes fit perfectly. Doesn't matter if I am a size 25 or 30 (which is true, I have been both). When I don't feel like I'm carrying around extra material, or being constrained from tightness, I feel fabulous."
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"How I feel about my body has less to do with how others perceive me and more to do with how I'm feeling. I feel the most confident when I'm eating healthy and do not feel bloated."
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"I went to the beach and wore a two-piece for the first time ever. It was high waisted and I didn't feel all that great leaving my hotel, but once I touched the sand and the sun hit my body, it felt amazing to love my body. As soon as I touched the beach, I had an 'I don't care' attitude about loving my body."
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"I feel really happy and confident when I'm playing bass with one of my many bands. I love being on stage and showing the world that fat chicks rock, too!"
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"When my health was great! No pain, moving with ease, and having energy made me feel so confident."
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"Last week, lifting weights at the gym when I hit a new personal best on deadlifts. The improvement I see with weight lifting is so visible, it feels more rewarding to add another five pounds of weight than when I chart my accomplishments by a scale or how my jeans fit. Looking around at other powerful women of all shapes and sizes reminds me to cherish my own strength and abilities. I love when I see that I'm lifting more than a guy; I feel like such a badass."
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"Doing burlesque."
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"Learning to headstand and handstand made me feel good, even though I am a curvier yogi."
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"When I started to become comfortable with my thighs. As long as I've been living, I've always been a string bean, but once I hit 22, I started gaining weight in my hips! Since seeing Beyoncé and Alicia Keys being confident with their hips, I've changed how I feel about mine."
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"When I got home from work and went to the gym. It was a typical, chilly February day in NYC and I was just going about my regular routine. Once I was done at the gym, though, I came back to my apartment and ended up having a totally random dance party all by myself. I was already sweaty from the gym, and the music on my iPod sounded extra inspirational in that moment. I caught myself in the mirror a few times mid-dance and just felt good about myself, my body, and being active. I definitely need to do that more often!"
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"When I’m at home, wearing my favorite pajamas and preparing food for myself after a session of pampering myself (nice bath, good book, etc.). Self-care is sexy!"
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"I think as I've entered my 30s (goodbye, 20s!), I have really embraced my body as it has changed. I was always really thin, and I feel I have finally 'filled out' and have embraced the curves that have begun to appear. I think more of it has to do with the confidence I've gained in my life, as I realize what is really important to me (family, friends, self-appreciation) versus the material items. I'm much less self-conscious about my body and appearance now than when I was in my 20s — part of it is also just knowing my own style and being happy with that."
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
"Every day."
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